Many museums and historical sites are symbols of the places where they
belong. People from all over the country, even foreign tourists, flock here.
Yet, local people seem not to be interested in those places. This essay will
discuss how the curiosity of visitors and the indifference of local people
are the key factors behind this problem, followed by how integrating
cultural heritage with entertainment and innovating museum exhibitions
can help change people’s perspectives.
One major reason why the curiosity of human beings affects local
museums and historical sites is that people tend to travel to museums
and historical sites to relieve stress and stay away from work. A
destination they haven't heard about seems to be more attractive than a
local destination that may be near their workplace. Additionally, tourist
attractions too close to home make local people think, “It’s right here,
when we have time, we’ll go,” leading to constant delays. For instance,
several historical sites in Bac Ninh, such as Dau Temple, Phat Tich Temple,
and Dong Ho Painting Village, have recently reported that tourists are
getting fewer and fewer, with most visitors coming from other places.
In order to address the issue and change people’s perspectives on local
relic sites, local leaders should bridge the gap between history and
entertainment and innovate museum exhibitions. Science and technology
are strongly developing, and using virtual reality glasses to reenact history
can be an effective way to engage visitors. Witnessing events with their
own eyes is always more interesting than reading from books. Organizing
workshops and experiential activities is also an effective way—museums
can teach locals and tourists how to draw, make pottery, or write
calligraphy, helping them gain a deeper understanding of culture.
In conclusion, local people’s negative perceptions of local destinations
often come from their familiarity with the place they live and their
curiosity about other locations. However, this problem can be resolved by
combining history with modern technology, something that not only
improves local engagement but also attracts more visitors.